Sunday, July 14, 2013

According to a Mets source, the volatile utilityman, upon learning he had been demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, got into a confrontation with Terry Collins, during which he called the manager a “c—ksucker.”

The source said Valdespin, in the course of his heated exchange with Collins, also tried to invent an injury and demanded to be placed on the disabled list.

By the time the clubhouse opened to reporters in the aftermath of the Mets’ 4-2 loss to the Pirates, the 25-year-old Valdespin had regained composure, but had tears in his eyes.

It’s hardly the first time Valdespin has been involved in controversy during his brief career. The most recent incident occurred in May, when he showboated after hitting a home run in a game against the Pirates in which the Mets were getting buried. The next day, Valdespin was sent to the plate as a pinch-hitter and got drilled in apparent retaliation.

Last year, Valdespin angered teammates by wearing a white T-shirt on the team bus, in violation of the dress code. Valdespin later returned to his locker to find the words “El Hombre” written on the shirt, which was mangled.

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Last year, Valdespin angered teammates by wearing a white T-shirt on the team bus, in violation of the dress code. Valdespin later returned to his locker to find the words “El Hombre” written on the shirt, which was mangled.

Same as any other piece of fabric. What's surprising is that the visitors' clubhouse in San Francisco even had such a device. Fancy new stadium like that, you'd think they could afford a washer with a spin cycle.

Got to get from the hotel to the airport somehow. Better than taking the subway next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids.

"I got news for you Mr. Collins, you haven't heard the last of me. You may think I'm #### now, but someday you're gonna be sorry you cut me. I'm gonna catch on somewhere else and every time that I hit against you I'm gonna stick it up your ####### ass!"

Right or wrong the team seems to have a dress code and I wouldn't expect a rookie to be ignoring it. The description of a white t-shirt also brings to mind some guy in a wife-beater (I'm sure there's a PC term but you know what I mean) in a group of guys in a suit.

If I worked in an office where everyone dresses in a suit and then some guy comes in in his second week on the job wearing a Van Halen t-shirt and a pair of ripped jeans I'm going to draw some conclusions about that guy's professionalism. I could well be 100% wrong in my assumptions but the guy is opening himself up.

If I worked in an office where everyone dresses in a suit and then some guy comes in in his second week on the job wearing a Van Halen t-shirt and a pair of ripped jeans I'm going to draw some conclusions about that guy's professionalism. I could well be 100% wrong in my assumptions but the guy is opening himself up.

If I worked in an office and co-workers mangled my shirt, I'd draw even worse conclusions.

Would the world be a better place if everyone, leaders and peons alike, wore sweat pants, muumuus and robes? We just had a thread a few days ago in which many lamented the decline of American dressing habits.

Last year, Valdespin angered teammates by wearing a white T-shirt on the team bus, in violation of the dress code. Valdespin later returned to his locker to find the words “El Hombre” written on the shirt, which was mangled.

Would the world be a better place if everyone, leaders and peons alike, wore sweat pants, muumuus and robes? We just had a thread a few days ago in which many lamented the decline of American dressing habits

Dick Allen wore a dashiki to an MLBPA strike meeting, but since he's a prick it probably isn't a good idea.

Would the world be a better place if everyone, leaders and peons alike, wore sweat pants, muumuus and robes?

If we had no socially constructed connotations associated with clothing, which are in many cases arbitrary and in others rooted in the religion-based belief that experiencing discomfort is virtuous and good for you, it would make no difference whatsoever.

If I worked in an office where everyone dresses in a suit and then some guy comes in in his second week on the job wearing a Van Halen t-shirt and a pair of ripped jeans I'm going to draw some conclusions about that guy's professionalism. I could well be 100% wrong in my assumptions but the guy is opening himself up.

Now, in software development a guy in a suit would raise immediate suspicion.

Valdespin later returned to his locker to find the words “El Hombre” written on the shirt

This is pretty funny given the "I am the man right now" comment that Valdespin made (although to be fair Valdy wasn't out of line when he said that). The Mets have come a long way from "know your place, rook"! I am happy to see they have improved the quality of their ridiculous criticism of young players.

Would the world be a better place if everyone, leaders and peons alike, wore sweat pants, muumuus and robes? We just had a thread a few days ago in which many lamented the decline of American dressing habits

I am happy to see they have improved the quality of their ridiculous criticism of young players.

Which is the ridiculous part? They could justifiably rip him for: his play; his tendency to show up opponents when he randomly enjoys brief success; his failure to follow team rules; faking an injury; or calling his boss a coksuker for not sufficiently appreciating all of the above.

Good riddance to Valdespin. He alienated himself from just about everybody on the Mets, from teammates to coaches. He wouldn't listen to any advice, any suggestions, even when guys were just trying to help him become more accepted in the clubhouse.

Countless guys are sent to the minor leagues throughout the season. Most accept the news--unhappily but without a tantrum. Valdespin called his manager names, threw equipment in the clubhouse, and then tried to convince the trainer that he was injured (when he clearly is not) so that he could remain on the major league payroll.